b'A Very Special Project Helping A Very Special Group Galila (see pages 14 and 39) has brought a very special project to HOT to help an exceptional group of youth-at-risk.The Bnei Menashe Jews, considered to be one of the twelve tribes of Israel, were brought to Israel over a decade ago from northern India where they havelivedforcenturies,allthetimemaintaining their Jewish identity. A group of around 200 of this unique community settled in the northern Galilee town of Maalot.They came to Israel with nothing and are registered withthemunicipalitysocialwelfareagency. SimilartotheruralEthiopianJewswhowere brought to Israel, they require additional support to enable their successful absorption into Israeli society.The Maalot municipality has made provisions for a group of children coming from the most impoverished families inthiscommunity,withamoadonitdedicatedtothem, which provides after school activities and a home away fromhome.Thisparticularmoadonitcaresfor38 children aged between 5 and 12 years, 5 days every week, throughout the year. Five years ago, the municipality did a minimal renovation of the kitchen and bathrooms of a smallbuildingthatneedsadditionalrefurbishment,new furniture and equipment.The building needs new floor-tiles, repair or replacement ofthedoorsandwindows,curtains,furniture(tables, chairs,etc.)storagecupboards,alarge-sizeTVand outdoor games for the yard.Galila has an interior designer who will, on a pro-bono basis, assist in converting this space into a functional and inviting home for the 38 children who come there from school every afternoon.This is a special project for a very special community that very few are aware of. The estimated budget for this special project is $24,931. HOT will take $12,466 out of its undesignated funds if one of our donors will designate $12,465 for this very special project. Galila has agreed to raise any overage above the estimated budget.25'